First-Day Jitters Are More Than Nerves: Why Sensory Supports Matter From Day One

The first day of school is exciting.

New backpacks. Freshly sharpened pencils. New teachers. Seeing friends again.

But for many students, the first days of school can also feel like a lot.

New classrooms. Different routines. Unfamiliar expectations. Crowded hallways. Bells ringing. Chairs scraping. More sitting. More listening. More transitions. And after a summer with a very different schedule, suddenly being expected to regulate through an entire school day again.

We often call it "first-day jitters."

But sometimes what looks like nervousness, excessive energy, silliness, avoidance, tears, difficulty listening, or even challenging behavior is also a child trying to manage all of the sensory and emotional demands that come with returning to school.

As a school-based occupational therapist, that's why I believe one of the best things we can do at the beginning of the year is simple:

Don't wait for students to struggle before giving them tools to regulate.

The First Day Is a Sensory Experience

Think about walking into school from a child's perspective.

The hallway may be louder than they've experienced all summer.

There are people everywhere.

They're trying to remember where to put their backpack, where to sit, when they're allowed to talk, where they're supposed to walk, what happens next — and perhaps even how to open that brand-new lunch container someone bought them.

For younger students, it may be their first time spending an entire day away from home.

For older students, there may be new classrooms, changing classes, increased academic expectations, new social situations, and less downtime.

And underneath all of that, their bodies are processing an enormous amount of sensory information.

That's a lot of work before the academics even begin.

First-Day Jitters Don't Look the Same in Every Child

The student who is overwhelmed isn't always the child crying at the classroom door.

It might be the child who:

• Can't stop moving in his chair.

• Suddenly needs to sharpen his pencil for the fourth time.

• Becomes extra silly during transitions.

• Covers her ears in a noisy hallway.

• Has difficulty getting started on an assignment.

• Melts down over something seemingly small.

• Asks to go to the bathroom repeatedly.

• Withdraws and becomes unusually quiet.

• Has difficulty keeping hands to himself in line.

• Seems completely fine at school — and falls apart the moment he gets home.

These behaviors don't automatically mean a child has a sensory processing difficulty.

Sometimes they simply mean:

This is a lot for my body right now.

And that's where proactive supports can make such a difference.

What If We Supported Regulation Before the Struggle?

We tend to think about sensory strategies reactively.

A student becomes overwhelmed, so we give them a break.

A child can't sit still, so we send them to move.

A student is upset, so we suggest taking deep breaths.

Those strategies can certainly be helpful.

But what if we shifted the timing?

What if the movement came before the long period of sitting?

What if the calming activity happened before the difficult transition?

What if students learned where and how to reset before they were already dysregulated?

That's the power of being proactive.

Instead of asking only:

"What should we do when this child is struggling?"

We can also ask:

"What can we put in place so this child is less likely to get there?"

Proactive Doesn't Have to Mean Complicated

Supporting sensory and regulation needs doesn't require every school to build a sensory room.

It doesn't have to mean creating an elaborate schedule of sensory breaks.

And it certainly doesn't have to add another complicated program to a teacher's already-full plate.

Sometimes small changes are enough.

A few minutes of movement before morning work.

A calming activity outside the classroom.

A movement station students can use during a hallway transition.

A quiet reset space in the corner of a classroom.

A portable sensory path that can be rolled out when needed and shared between spaces.

A breathing activity before a test.

A whole-class movement break after prolonged sitting.

Start small.

The goal isn't to create more for teachers to manage.

It's to build regulation opportunities into things students are already doing.

Movement Isn't Taking Away From Learning

Especially during the first weeks of school, there can be pressure to establish routines and get students academically engaged as quickly as possible.

But movement doesn't have to compete with learning.

For many students, purposeful movement can help them become more ready for what comes next.

When a child has an appropriate opportunity to move, reset, breathe, push, stretch, march, balance, or simply step away for a moment, we're giving their body another tool for regulation.

And when the body is more regulated, participating in classroom expectations may become easier.

That's why I don't view movement and sensory supports as something separate from the school day.

They're one way we help prepare students for the school day.

Teach the Tools Before They're Needed

The beginning of the year is also the perfect time to introduce sensory and regulation resources.

Don't wait until a student is upset to show them a calming space for the first time.

Don't introduce a sensory path only after someone is having difficulty.

Teach students what the resources are, how to use them, and when they might help.

Let the whole class practice.

Normalize taking a breath.

Normalize movement.

Normalize recognizing when your body needs something.

When these supports are simply part of the school environment, using them doesn't have to feel like a punishment or something reserved for "the kid who is struggling."

It becomes another tool available to students.

A Different Way to Prepare for Day One

We spend so much time preparing our schools for the first day.

Bulletin boards are ready.

Name tags are on desks.

Lesson plans are written.

Supplies are organized.

Hallways look beautiful.

But as you're walking through your school before those doors open, consider adding one more question to your checklist:

Where can our students go — or what can they do — when their bodies need to move, calm, or reset?

You may already have the perfect space.

And it might only take one small addition to make it useful.

Try This Tomorrow

Walk through your students' first day from their perspective.

Where will they wait?

Where will it be loud?

When will they be expected to sit for a longer period?

Which transitions might feel overwhelming?

When will there be lots of directions, people, noise, or stimulation happening at once?

Now choose one of those moments.

Ask yourself:

"What could we put in place five minutes earlier?"

Maybe it's two minutes of movement.

Maybe it's a breathing exercise.

Maybe it's a visual reminder.

Maybe it's a sensory activity students pass on their way back to class.

Start with one proactive support and see what happens.

Because sometimes the best time to help a student regulate is before they need help regulating.

Want to Learn More?

Sacred Steps Sensory Paths were created by a school-based occupational therapist to help schools incorporate purposeful movement and regulation into the spaces and routines they already have.

Schools don't need a sensory room — or even a large hallway — to get started.

You can begin with one individual activity, a calming space, a Starter Set, a portable sensory path, or a full hallway path.

Sacred Steps offers both universal school resources and OT-designed faith-based sensory paths, allowing Catholic and Christian schools to combine purposeful movement and regulation with messages that reinforce their faith throughout the school day.

Products are commercially printed using durable, professional-grade materials designed for school environments, with floor, wall, and portable options available.

Whether you're preparing for the very first day or realizing a few weeks into the year that your students need additional support, you don't have to change everything at once.

Start with one need.
Start with one space.
Start with one purposeful step.

About the Author

Trisha Klausing is a school-based occupational therapist with more than 10 years of experience and the creator of Sacred Steps Sensory Paths. After seeing firsthand how movement and regulation impact students' ability to participate successfully in the school day, she created Sacred Steps to provide schools with purposeful, professionally designed sensory resources — including faith-based options that allow Christian and Catholic schools to support the whole child while reinforcing their faith.

Is Your School Hallway Working Hard Enough?

A 5-Minute Hallway Check From a School-Based Occupational Therapist

When we think about preparing a school environment for students, we tend to focus on classrooms.

We arrange desks. We organize materials. We create calm-down spaces. We think about lighting, seating, visual supports, and classroom routines.

But there's another space students use every single day that we don't always think about in the same way:

The hallway.

As a school-based occupational therapist, I spend a lot of time thinking about how the environment affects a student's ability to regulate, transition, participate, and learn.

And hallways are part of that environment.

Students may walk through them dozens of times each day. They transition from preferred activities to non-preferred activities there. They navigate noise, other students, visual stimulation, schedule changes, and expectations—all while being asked to keep their bodies regulated.

So here's a question worth asking:

Is your hallway simply getting students from Point A to Point B—or could it be doing more?

Take a 5-Minute Walk Through Your School

I created a simple Principal's Hallway Checklist to help school leaders look at their hallways through a slightly different lens.

You don't need a formal assessment.

You don't need an OT walking beside you.

Just take five minutes and walk through your building while thinking about a few key areas.

1. Look at the visual environment.

Stand at one end of your hallway and simply look.

Does the space feel organized—or overwhelming?

Can students easily identify important signs and visual cues?

Are bulletin boards and displays intentional, or is every available inch competing for their attention?

For many students, especially those who are easily distracted or overwhelmed by visual input, more isn't always better.

Sometimes creating a more supportive environment starts with deciding what doesn't need to be there.

2. Look for opportunities to move.

We often treat movement as something that happens at recess, in physical education, or during a designated classroom movement break.

But movement doesn't have to be separate from the school day.

It can be built into it.

Could an unused stretch of hallway give students an opportunity to jump, balance, reach, breathe, cross midline, or complete a quick sequence of purposeful movements?

Could a student use that space for a two-minute regulation break and then return to class?

Could movement be used proactively, rather than waiting until a child is already dysregulated?

That's one of the biggest shifts I encourage schools to consider.

3. Pay attention to transitions.

For some students, transitions are easy.

For others, they're one of the hardest parts of the school day.

Leaving a preferred classroom, navigating a busy hallway, remembering where to go next, managing peers and noise, and preparing for an entirely different set of expectations requires a surprising amount of regulation and executive functioning.

As you walk your hallways, ask:

What support is available for the child who struggles here?

It might be a visual cue.

It might be a predictable movement opportunity.

It might be a calming strategy.

Sometimes a relatively small environmental support can make a difficult transition more manageable.

4. Ask whether your hallway helps students return ready to learn.

This is one of my favorite questions.

Instead of thinking only about hallway behavior—Are students quiet? Are they walking? Are they following expectations?—consider what happens after the hallway.

Does the environment help students arrive at their next destination ready to participate?

Purposeful movement can provide opportunities to work on body awareness, coordination, balance, motor planning, regulation, and attention.

A hallway can also reinforce skills we want students to carry back into the classroom:

Confidence.

Patience.

Perseverance.

Kindness.

Leadership.

A hallway doesn't have to be wasted space.

5. Look at the space you already have.

This may be the most practical part of the entire exercise.

Look for:

An empty wall.

An unused corner.

A long stretch of hallway.

A small space outside a counseling office.

An area near the intervention room.

A spot where a portable activity could be rolled out when needed.

You don't necessarily need a dedicated sensory room—or a large budget—to create another opportunity for regulation in your school.

Start with the space you already have.

For Catholic Schools: Look Through One More Lens

In a Catholic school, I would add another question to the hallway walk:

Does our Catholic identity extend beyond our classrooms?

Catholic education has a unique opportunity to surround students with reminders of who they are and Whose they are throughout the entire school day.

Faith formation doesn't have to stop when students leave religion class.

Our hallways and shared spaces can reinforce Scripture, prayer, virtues, Sacraments, and reminders of God's presence.

And our sensory and regulation supports don't have to be separate from that mission either.

We can support the body, mind, AND spirit.

That's one of the reasons I created Sacred Steps in the first place. I wanted Catholic schools to have access to purposeful movement and regulation supports without having to separate those supports from their Catholic identity.

Try This Tomorrow

Take five minutes and walk one hallway in your school.

Don't walk it as an administrator thinking about schedules, supervision, or maintenance.

For five minutes, try to walk it from the perspective of a student.

Ask yourself:

What does this space ask of our students—and what does it give back to them?

Then identify one space that could work a little harder.

That's it.

You don't need to redesign your school.

Start with one hallway. One wall. One corner. One opportunity.

Download the Free Principal's Hallway Checklist

I've turned these questions into a simple printable checklist you can take with you as you walk through your building.

Use it yourself, share it with your leadership team, or walk through the building with your OT, counselor, intervention specialist, or facilities staff.

Catholic school? I've created a Catholic version, too, with an additional section on Faith Throughout the Building.

Want to Learn More?

If your hallway walk leaves you looking at an empty wall or unused stretch of floor and thinking, We could do something with that, I'd be happy to help.

Sacred Steps Sensory Paths offers floor-based, wall-based, and portable movement and regulation supports designed specifically for real school environments.

And you don't need to begin with a full sensory path.

Whether you have $300 or $3,000, we can start with the space and budget you have and determine what could make the greatest impact for your students.

Sometimes transforming a school environment doesn't start with a huge project.

It starts by looking at an ordinary space differently.

About the Author

Trisha Klausing, MOT, OTR/L, is a practicing school-based occupational therapist and founder of Sacred Steps Sensory Paths. Drawing on more than a decade of experience working with students and educators, she creates movement and regulation supports designed for the realities of school environments. Sacred Steps offers both faith-based and universal options to help schools create purposeful opportunities for movement, regulation, confidence, executive functioning, and student success.

What Are Your Hallways Teaching?

When we think about teaching, we naturally think about classrooms.

We think about lesson plans, curriculum, small groups, and instructional strategies.

But lately I've been asking a different question:

What are our hallways teaching?

Students spend hundreds of hours each year moving through hallways.

They walk to lunch.

They transition between classes.

They head to specials.

They travel to the library, gym, and office.

Those moments may seem small, but they add up.

And every space in a school sends a message.

The Hidden Curriculum of School Spaces

Whether we realize it or not, our physical environments are constantly teaching.

Classrooms teach academic content.

Libraries teach a love of reading.

Playgrounds teach cooperation and social skills.

But what about hallways?

For many schools, hallways are simply spaces students move through as quickly as possible.

But what if they could do more?

What if hallways became opportunities to reinforce the very lessons we want students to carry with them every day?

Hallways That Teach Character

Imagine students encountering messages about:

• Kindness

• Respect

• Perseverance

• Gratitude

• Responsibility

• Courage

Not once during a special assembly.

Not once during a character education lesson.

Every single day.

The power of repetition matters.

The messages students see repeatedly often become the messages they remember.

Hallways That Teach Self-Regulation

As a school-based occupational therapist, I know that many students need movement in order to learn.

Students are being asked to sit longer, focus longer, and manage increasingly complex expectations.

Purposeful movement can help students:

• Refocus attention

• Improve body awareness

• Reduce stress

• Increase readiness for learning

• Transition more successfully between activities

A hallway can become a place where students practice regulation skills instead of simply passing through.

Hallways That Teach Executive Functioning

Executive functioning skills are some of the most important skills students develop.

These include:

• Following directions

• Planning

• Organization

• Flexible thinking

• Self-monitoring

• Task initiation

Movement-based activities can provide opportunities for students to practice these skills in engaging and meaningful ways.

Hallways That Teach Faith

For Catholic and Christian schools, hallways offer another unique opportunity.

Faith formation doesn't only happen during religion class.

Students can be reminded throughout the day that they are:

✝️ Loved by God

✝️ Created with purpose

✝️ Called to serve others

✝️ Never alone

Bible stories, virtues, prayers, and faith-based movement activities can transform hallways into spaces that support both spiritual and physical development.

Making Every Square Foot Count

One of my favorite things about working with schools is helping them see possibilities they hadn't considered before.

An empty hallway becomes a sensory path.

A blank wall becomes a calming station.

A transition area becomes a space for movement, reflection, and growth.

The best part?

Most schools already have the space they need.

They simply need to look at it differently.

A Simple Question

As you prepare for the upcoming school year, I encourage you to take a walk through your building and ask yourself:

What are our hallways teaching?

Are they simply moving students from one place to another?

Or are they reinforcing the values, skills, and lessons that matter most?

Because every space in a school teaches something.

The question is whether it teaches intentionally.

Would you like help envisioning what a "Hallway That Teaches" could look like in your school?

I'd be happy to create a complimentary mockup using a photo of your hallway, wall, library, counseling office, or common area.

Sometimes the most impactful student support starts with a space you're already walking past every day.

What Is a Sensory Pathway? Signs, Benefits & School Examples

If you've heard the term "sensory pathway" but aren't exactly sure what it means, you're not alone.

Over the past several years, sensory pathways have become increasingly popular in schools, therapy clinics, libraries, hospitals, and community spaces. But many educators and administrators are still wondering:

What is a sensory pathway, and why are so many schools adding them?

As a school-based occupational therapist, I'd love to help answer that question.

What Is a Sensory Pathway?

A sensory pathway is a series of intentional movement activities designed to help students move, regulate, refocus, and return to learning. In schools, sensory pathways can provide proactive movement opportunities throughout the day without requiring a dedicated sensory room.

Students might:

• Hop

• Jump

• Balance

• Stretch

• March

• Cross midline

• Trace shapes

• Practice deep breathing

• Complete gross motor challenges

The goal is simple: provide structured movement opportunities that help students regulate their bodies and prepare for learning.

Many sensory pathways are installed in school hallways, allowing students to use them during transitions throughout the day.

Sensory pathway for schools in Catholic elementary school hallway; https://www.sacredstepssensorypaths.com/store/p/bible-stories-sensory-path

Why Do Schools Use Sensory Pathways?

Movement plays a critical role in a child's ability to focus, regulate emotions, and participate successfully in the classroom.

When students are struggling with attention, self-regulation, anxiety, impulsivity, or transitions, a brief movement break can make a significant difference.

Schools often use sensory pathways to support:

Student Regulation

Sensory pathways provide students with opportunities to move their bodies in ways that help them feel more organized, calm, and ready to learn.

Executive Functioning Skills

Many pathways include activities that encourage students to follow directions, sequence movements, maintain attention, and practice self-control.

Positive Transitions

Transitions can be challenging for many students. Sensory pathways create a structured and engaging way for students to move from one activity to another.

Indoor Movement Opportunities

Weather doesn't always cooperate. Sensory pathways give students a way to move throughout the day, even when outdoor activities aren't possible.

Inclusive Support

One of the best things about sensory pathways is that they benefit all students. While they can be particularly helpful for students with ADHD, anxiety, autism, sensory processing differences, or executive functioning challenges, every child can benefit from purposeful movement.

Where Are Sensory Pathways Installed?

One of the reasons sensory pathways have become so popular is their flexibility.

Schools are installing sensory pathways in:

• Hallways

• Libraries

• Counseling offices

• Calming corners

• Early childhood wings

• Resource rooms

• Common areas

• Church and parish spaces

Many schools also incorporate wall-based sensory activities when floor space is limited. Other schools choose portable sensory paths that can be rolled out when needed and stored away when space is limited.

Limited floor space? A wall sensory path is the perfect solution. https://www.sacredstepssensorypaths.com/store/p/beatitudes-blessings-wall-sensory-path

Examples of Sensory Pathway Activities

Every sensory pathway is unique, but common activities include:

• Animal walks

• Hopping patterns

• Balance challenges

• Cross-body movements

• Deep breathing exercises

• Visual tracking activities

• Gross motor sequences

• Mindfulness prompts

These activities encourage students to move in ways that support both physical and cognitive development.

What Makes Faith-Based Sensory Pathways Different?

While many sensory pathways focus solely on movement, some schools are looking for ways to combine movement with meaningful learning opportunities.

This is especially true in Catholic and Christian schools.

Faith-based sensory pathways allow students to engage with:

• Bible stories

• Scripture

• Catholic virtues

• The Sacraments

• Prayer

• Religious education concepts

At Sacred Steps, some of our most popular faith-based options include the Bible Stories Sensory Path, the Who God Says I Am Path, and the Sacred Sacraments Path, each designed to combine purposeful movement with meaningful faith formation.

As students move through the activities, they are not only supporting regulation and focus but also reinforcing their faith in a way that feels active, engaging, and memorable.

How Sacred Steps Sensory Paths Are Different

As both a school-based occupational therapist and a Catholic business owner, I wanted to create something that supported the whole child.

That's why Sacred Steps combines purposeful movement with faith formation.

Our sensory pathways help students:

• Regulate their bodies

• Improve focus and attention

• Strengthen executive functioning skills

• Support positive behavior

• Reinforce Catholic identity

• Engage with Scripture and faith-based concepts

To our knowledge, Sacred Steps remains the only faith-based sensory path company specifically designed for Catholic and Christian schools.

Is a Sensory Pathway Right for Your School?

If your school is looking for ways to:

• Support student regulation

• Improve transitions

• Encourage movement throughout the day

• Create more purposeful learning spaces

• Strengthen Catholic identity

A sensory pathway may be an excellent fit.

The best part? Many schools already have the perfect space.

An empty hallway.

A blank wall.

A transition area that could become something more.

Schools often begin with a full hallway path, a portable path, or even a smaller starter set before expanding over time.

Sometimes the most impactful school improvement projects don't require additional space—just a new way of thinking about the space you already have.

If you're interested in exploring what a sensory pathway could look like in your school, I'd be happy to create a complimentary mockup using photos of your space. You can explore our faith-based sensory paths, portable paths, and starter sets here: https://www.sacredstepssensorypaths.com/